Cheap Paneling Isn't The Kiss of Death!

I live in a 1977 Remodeling Nightmare. Back when the previous owner lived in this Pike County house, he spent a few bucks on "updating" and "redecorating." Frankly, I wish he would have left it the way it was. Built in 1950, I'm sure my cute Cape Cod home had some really cool elements that were obliterated with the "groovy" 1970s. (well, the purple and black tile in the bathroom remains, and it's not that cool...but I digress)

I honestly do not understand how anyone - anyone - could think that orange shag carpet in a bedroom looked nice. Couple that with the avacado (mixed with gold and orange) shag carpet in the dining room, and the living room, and the steps...ech!! I took great pleasure in ripping down the wallpaper that had green, gold, and brown stagecoaches all over it. Who made up this stuff? Are they sitting in jail somewhere? They should be!

To me though, the worst decor faux pas of the 70s was (and still is) cheap paneling. I am not talking about rich tongue and groove paneling, or nice wide plank knotty pine paneling...come on, you know what I mean. That junk that you pick up in 4 x 8 sheets at the lumber yard.

The previous owner of my house fell in love with this stuff; so much that he paneled not only the walls upstairs, but the ceiling too! YES! It's a marvel to behold. This past winter, my husband tore down all the paneling in our living room. Now, our living room wall covering is the brown paper that covers the insulation. And I like it better.

Such was the previous owner's passion for paneling, that he had custom birch cabinets made for the kitchen...and he had the doors made to look like paneling!!! These are solid birch cabinets...expensive...well built...made to look like the cheap crap hanging on my walls and upstairs ceiling. WHY?

There are so many cute homes on the market around Lake Wallenpaupack that were built in the 70's. Chalets, capes, contemporaries, ranches...many are priced right...but I've run into more than one person who cringes when they discover the interior is mostly, you guessed it, that cheap paneling. It is hard enough seeing it in real life; often it looks much worse in photographs.

Some people advocate painting the paneling. My feelings are mixed on that; you still see the lines. I guess some folks won't mind, but it would bug the heck out of me. I like smooth walls!

Anyway, my opinion: if the house is priced right, particularly if it's thousands of dollars below your "top price", and the only thing holding you back is the paneling...why not consider hiring a contractor to replace the paneling with drywall? It's not horribly expensive, and really transforms a place from a dark cave into a warm and cozy Pocono Mountains retreat.

Furthermore, if you are selling, it might behoove you to consider replacing the paneling in at least the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom to increase your home's appeal. Most people are looking for light and bright spaces...cheap paneling darkens a room and makes it look smaller. Maximize your home's appeal - even a paint job may do the trick.

Cheap Paneling ©Copyright 2007 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.